Cheapest way to get cruise control / perfect pass?

[dirtk38]

One thing I am starting to realize is the possible benefits of having a perfect pass system, especially for attempting to wake surf. It is very hard to hold the boat around 10 mph when it is loaded down with about 1500+ lbs...so hard that so far I don't trust anyone but myself to drive the boat in that configuration.

Problem is, I've about spent my boat budget for the summer, and a new perfect pass wake edition edition is $1195. Anyone have any ideas for finding a cheaper way to get some sort of cruise control? Biggest requirement is that it must work well holding the slow wake surfing speeds. Thoughts?

[bcboy]

Try Ski it again . com...they usualy have used ones.

[east tx skier]

You can cobble together a used system like bcboy said. You might also check with Jody at Fl Inboards. They are doing a lot of conversions from Perfect Pass to Zero Off and he tends to have some PP systems and Fuel Injected Ford Motors on his hands from time to time.

In the end, you'll probably still have to buy a couple of new components, most likely the throttle cable linkage and wiring harness for your boat. But the older gauges and master modules are probably still available from people upgrading to stargazer.

If it were me, I would probably do without and save money over however long it takes to save it so I could buy a Stargazer system. Not sure if that's the best for surfing, but it's the best for what we do that PP offers.

[Justjoe]

I've got a master module and a black faced guage. Pm me.

[dirtk38]

Originally Posted by Justjoe

I've got a master module and a black faced guage. Pm me.

PM sent.

Can anyone comment to the effectiveness of a StarGazer or other PP generation when trying to hold surf speeds, especially in a 205? I'd hate to spend the money and find out that PP struggles with that speed as much as I do.

[east tx skier]

Works great a trick speeds (16 mph approx). Other than that , I got nothin'.

[BriEOD]

I have a 2000 PS 205 DD with PP (slalom, trick, jump, wakeboard, and RPM mode) that runs off the paddle wheel system. We surf regularly at 9.8 mph and I cannot imagine doing it without PP. I have no experience with Zero Off, etc. However, PP meets all of my needs just fine.

My
.02

[DemolitionMan]

My stargazer moves about 2/10ths when surfing.

[YooperScott]

I put Stargazer on my '95 190 last year and now wonder how you can even pull people without it. It's that good (to me). Makes surfing WAY easier because manually driving in the 10 mph range and holding speed is pretty hard. The PP stays with a couple tenths.

Edit: Slalom it's great too and allows for less 'ideal' drivers to still pull well. I haven't used it much pulling people wakeboarding as that just doesn't get done behind my boat much. Primary is slalom and surfing is for the tired out from slalom and/or the lazy people.

Scott
'95 LT-1 Prostar 190 - Stargazer

[Jeff d]

I have no experience with RideSteady but it can be had for $695 after $100 rebate if you send them pics of your install:
http://www.hydrophase.com/

I have Perfect Pass Stargazer Wake and the GPS is dead on with speed at factory KDW setting varying about 2-3 tenths from the setpoint. I plan on experimenting with the KDW next time I'm out to try to make it a little bit more idiot proof because right now if the driver punches the throttle I get about a 5-8 MPH overshoot with ballast full.

If you ride in a place that has a significant current the paddle wheel is preferable to the GPS due to the fact that it automatically compensates for the water's movement.

From an installation perspective the GPS cuts the install time in about half. I put mine in in about 1-1.5 hrs with no previous experience. If I was cutting a big ole hole in the hull I would have stressed out about where to put it and what not for longer than the whole StarGazer install took.